Junior Caminero says the Tampa Bay Rays have found their edge the old-fashioned way: by being tight in the clubhouse.
With the trade deadline chatter swirling around the Rays, Tampa Bay keeps sitting in a strong spot at 56-38, good for first place in the AL East ahead of the New York Yankees at 54-42. And for Caminero, the explanation for why this group has separated itself from previous Rays teams comes down to the way the room has come together.
The Rays have been HOT this year, and Junior Caminero explains what is different from last season.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 14, 2026
"Everyone is more together." pic.twitter.com/cmlUsfp2mu
Speaking on “Foul Territory,” Caminero pointed to the team’s chemistry and named a few of the players helping hold everything together, including pitchers Nick Martinez, Drew Rassmusen, and Shane McClanahan.
“This season is amazing because everybody is together in the clubhouse. Me and Martinez being leaders, Rassmusen, McClanahan, it's an unbelievable group. Now in the second half, just continue like that and let's see what we got, and at the end of the year, to the playoffs,” Caminero said.
Caminero has backed up that confidence with production. In 94 games and 355 at-bats, he’s hitting .279 with 28 home runs and 59 RBIs. Asked what has made this season stand out, he doubled down on the same theme.
“I think for me it's different, like everybody is more together,” Caminero said.
The Rays are in the middle of the All-Star break, and Caminero is there again after earning his second straight selection. He also took part in the Home Run Derby. Tampa Bay returns to action Friday with a series against the Boston Red Sox.
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The broader point is hard to miss: plenty of the games biggest names did not start their careers where they are starring now. Whether it is a pitcher who found another level after changing organizations or a hitter who blossomed after a new opportunity, the All-Star stage keeps reminding teams that talent can be hidden in plain sight. For Houston, Alvarez is the reminder that one misread can change a franchises trajectory for years. [Read more 🡒]